TIPS Webquest

 

A Webquest to Study Literature of the Renaissance Era (1300-1650 A.D.) and to Examine Public Policies that Promote Creative Achievement within a Society

 

                                                          Ms. L. Johnson

                                                          English Department

                                                          Adlai E. Stevenson High School 

                                                                                                                     

Introduction

 

In E81H one Unit of study for our class will focus on the exciting, productive years of the Renaissance (1300-1650 A.D.) and, in particular, some of the brilliant and memorable literature of this time period. You will put together a Power Point presentation which will differentiate the pre-Renaissance era from the Renaissance era and will highlight the literary achievements of authors of this period (as contrasted with the dearth of learning and art during the Dark Ages).  You will also analyze existing and new public policy ideas that promote and encourage the type of renewal and enrichment of the arts that brought about the Renaissance which began in the 14th Century and be able to draw conclusions based on your analysis.  Overall, this exercise will help you to understand what brought about the Renaissance and what public policies influence such an exciting growth of the arts.  

 

The Task

                     

I.  You will create a product, a Power Point presentation, by designing slides that provide the following information:

 

  • Slide #1:  What were the characteristics of the pre-Renaissance era? (4-5 statements)
  • Slide #2:  (Causes) How did the Renaissance era come about? (4-5 causes)
  • Slide #3:  (Gather Evidence) What were the contributions of Cervantes and Machiavelli, two famous authors from the Renaissance?  Explain how each author’s work exemplified the characteristics of the era.  (30 words for each author)
  • Slide #4:  (Gather Evidence) List 5 more authors who are celebrated for their achievements during this period.  (List in columns – on the left the authors; on the right a list of their literary works)
  • Slide #5:  (Evaluate Policies) Name and analyze two existing public policies that you feel stimulate or promote the type of growth and development of the arts that occurred during the Renaissance.  Give advantages and disadvantages.
  • Slide #6:  (Evaluate Policies)  Propose two new public policies that you feel would further stimulate or promote in the U.S. today the same type of growth and development of the arts that occurred during the Renaissance.  Give advantages of these policies.
  • More for Slide #6: Choose the one of your proposed new policies that you have a preference for over the others and explain why you think it will work best.

 

II. You will make an in-class oral presentation of your Power Point outcome.

 

Process

 

Students will use these steps of the Public Policy Format:

 

  • Identify causes (what brought about the Renaissance?)

 

  • Gather evidence using the Internet.  Some suggested sites to explore and examine are:

 

http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/digital/2000/cnc/c05renaissance/historicalbackground

 
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/middleages.html

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/r/renaiss.htm


http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/bailey/renaissa.htm


http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/resources.html


http://www.nea.gov/


http://usinfo.state.gov/ journals/itsv/0698/ijse/ijse0698.htm


http://www.state.ok.us/~arts/Pages/artists/artists.html

                                                                                                           

 

  • Evaluate policies and consider possible alternative policies. On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions:

 

      1. What are two existing laws or policies governing the development of the arts within our society?

                                                                 

2. What are the advantages of these policies (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)

 

3. What are the disadvantages of these policies?  (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)

 

4. Propose at least two new/original public policy alternatives that might be put into effect in the U.S.  Each        alternative must specify the actual governmental agency that would carry out the proposed action.  List the one    you consider the most promising first.

 

5. What are the advantages of these policies (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)?

 

 6. State why you prefer one policy over the other.

 

The following English Language Arts Performance Standards apply:

 

  • Read and comprehend information on the Renaissance and literature of authors of this era.
  • Produce a report of information (in this case, a Power Point presentation)
  • Participate in one-to-one conferences with the teacher.
  • Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.
  • Independently and habitually demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English language in written and oral work.
  • Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.


The following Learning Standards for New York State apply:

  • Students will read and write for information and understanding
  • Students will read and write for critical analysis and evaluation
  • Students will read and write for social interaction

 

 

 

Evaluation

 

Your project, including the Power Point presentation, will be evaluated and graded as follows:


1. You have done the required reading and Internet research, are familiar with the topic and the background information.  (50 points)
2. You are creative in your discussion of public policy issues. Your writing is very clear and the suggestions and explanations you make are logical and convincing.  (20 points)
3. Your Power Point slides are clear and understandable, complete and follow the instructions given (20 points).
4. Your language is appropriate for the intended audience (i.e., your classmates). (10 points)


Conclusion

 

By completing this Webquest, you will learn how to use the assigned readings to understand the literary contributions to the Renaissance era and how to use the Internet to gather information.  You will use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate information in order to produce a Power Point presentation and to make decisions as to which public policies foster growth and creativity in the arts.